Fatality Crash Closes IH-35 Southbound Early Friday

A fatal collision between a pickup and a tractor-trailer snarled traffic on IH-35 southbound early Friday morning.

Another crash, this one non-fatal, occurred nearby in traffic backed up from the lane closure from the fatality crash.

On Friday at 2:43 a.m., San Marcos Police, Firefighters and EMS were dispatched to a traffic accident on southbound IH-35 between the 208 and 209 mile markers.

Initial investigation disclosed that a male, identified as Jesus Lopez Remigio of Jacksonville, Texas (DOB 08-31-1964) was travelling southbound in a 2008 Chevrolet pickup and, for an unknown reason, struck the rear of an 18-wheeler, which was travelling southbound in front of the Chevrolet. EMS transported Remigio to Central Texas Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

The driver of the 18 wheeler reported he was driving about 65 MPH in the far right lane. He was not injured.

The second crash happened near the 210 mile marker on southbound IH-35 at 6:30 a.m. when a 1996 Toyota passenger car collided with a box trailer pulled by a 2017 Peterbilt tractor trailer that was stopped in traffic backed up from the fatality crash.

Police say the driver admitted to being distracted by his phone and hit the car in front of him at 70 MPH.

The driver was treated at the scene for minor injuries.

City ordinance prohibits drivers using cell phones and other handheld devices unless a hands-free device is engaged while the vehicle is in motion.